In January 2026, Ukrainian drone pilots "reduced" more occupants than Russia recruited, says Syrskyi
Oleksandr Syrskyi (Photo: Facebook of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine)

In January 2026, Ukrainian drone operators neutralized more occupiers than Russia recruited into the army. About this reported commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi.

According to him, in the first month of the year, unmanned units of the Defense Forces "reduced" the Russian army by almost 29,700 servicemen, while Moscow was able to recruit only 22,000.

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"This is the difference we are striving for: to kill more soldiers than Russia has time to put into service. This is the effectiveness of our unmanned systems, which, if further increased, will force Moscow to end its war of aggression," the military commander said.

Earlier, Syrskyi reported that in December 2025, drone operators were able to neutralize approximately the same number of invaders that Russia had mobilized in a month – more than 33,000 occupants.

In the new message, the military official also spoke about a monthly meeting on the development of drone systems, their combat missions, and the use of new technologies in this area. In January:

→ unmanned aerial vehicle units hit 66,200 targets;

→ ground robotic systems conducted almost 25% more missions than in the previous month;

→ Ukraine continues to maintain a certain advantage in the use of FPV drones.

However, the chief added, in many areas of drone technology, Russia is "at least keeping up." A representative of the Main Intelligence Directorate reported on the formation of unmanned systems by Russian troops.

In 2026, the occupiers planned to increase the number of this type of troops by 79,000 people, bringing their number to 165,000.

"Russians have already adopted their own interceptor drones and are increasing their production, testing Geranium-4 and "Geranium-5" and so on ("Geranium" – Russian designation Shahed – Ed.). All this encourages us to look for our own revolutionary technological and managerial solutions to counter Russian UAVs and overcome the enemy's echeloned air defense," added Syrskyi.

He also said that the assault troops the drone component is being increased (additional battalions of unmanned systems will be deployed to certain assault regiments), and the strengthening of this component in the brigades of the Territorial Defense Forces is underway.